The NJBIZ Power 100: The most powerful people in New Jersey business

The Power 100, the annual ranking of the most powerful people in New Jersey business by NJBIZ, has become a must-read in the state.

After all, the power players always want to know where they stand.

For the third consecutive year, Governor Chris Christie tops the list.

How can he not? From pushing through legislation to closing down lanes on a bridge, everything in the state goes through his office.

But Christie is not the only politician on the list: State Senate President Stephen Sweeney is there, as are U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker. And then there's up-and-coming star Steven Fulop, the mayor of Jersey City.

Of course, nothing is bigger in the state right now than health care, so it's no wonder that so many hospital executives (such as Hackensack's Bob Garrett), insurance leaders (such as Horizon's Bob Marino) and government leaders (such as Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd) are on there, too.

Developers? Building buildings and building businesses is the key to growth, so Michele Brown (the head of the state's Economic Development Authority) and developers Jon Hanson, Steven Pozycki, Chris Paladino, Emanuel Stern and Mitch Hersh all earned spots in the rankings.

Then there are the CEOs: PSEG's Ralph Izzo, Merck's Kenneth Frazier, Goya's Robert Unanue and Campbell's Denise Morrison are among the company heads on the list.

Of course, it is Super Bowl week here in New Jersey, so sports figures certainly play a part: Franchise owners John Mara, Woody Johnson and Josh Harris are on the list, as is Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann.